Vos Iz NeiasMinority Psychologists’ Coalition Opposes Jewish Psychologists’ Ethnic Association, Citing ‘Whiteness’
NEW YORK CITY (VINnews)-A coalition of national racial and ethnic psychological associations has issued a statement opposing the formation of an Association of Jewish Psychologists as an official Ethnic Psychological Association (EPA) within the American Psychological Association (APA).
The Coalition of National Racial and Ethnic Psychological Associations (CONREPA)—representing Black, Native American, Latinx, Asian American, and Arab/Middle Eastern/North African psychologists—argued that Jewish psychologists are not underrepresented in the APA and that most Jewish Americans identify as white.
“Conflating religion, race and ethnicity … obscures the role of racism, white privilege and white supremacy in the historical and contemporary oppression of people of color,” the coalition stated. It added that Jewish psychologists of color already belong to existing EPAs.
The group cited the APA’s 2021 apology for failing to address racism against people of color, which did not mention antisemitism or religious discrimination.
The statement was endorsed by the Asian American Psychological Association, American Arab, Middle Eastern and North African Psychological Association, National Latinx Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, and Society of Indian Psychologists.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the position as “indefensible” and discriminatory. CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said it was “factually wrong and harmful” to deny Jewish psychologists face discrimination or deserve representation.
The ADL pointed to rising antisemitism concerns within the APA, including past support for the BDS movement against Israel and ongoing harassment of Jewish members. It noted a current congressional investigation into antisemitism at the APA.
Despite APA initiatives such as listening sessions and a Collaborative of Jewish Psychologists, the ADL said the organization’s silence on the coalition’s statement shows insufficient action.
The ADL called on the APA to reject CONREPA’s position and formally recognize the Association of Jewish Psychologists.